site.btaBulgaria's Holy Synod Says Imagery at Olympics Opening Ceremony Conflicts with Christian Мorality

The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) criticized the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris, saying the imagery it used conflicted with Christian morality. The Bulgarian Patriarchate (BP) put out a statement about that on Tuesday.

"The recent opening of the XXXIII Summer Olympic Games in France caused a stir, eliciting feelings of embarrassment, temptation, and offense throughout the Christian community," the Holy Synod said. "Regardless of the organizers' stated intentions, the artistic images presented oppose not only Christian evangelical morality and spirituality, but also natural law, common sense, enduring European aesthetic norms, and the classical beauty ideal of a healthy spirit in a healthy body, as exemplified by the Olympic Games", they continued.

In the words of the Synod, crude language and ideological insensitivity are just the surface of the issue. "The crux of the matter lies in the defiant, discriminatory, and offensive stance towards the religious sentiments of devout Christians, which we cannot condone or ignore", the Holy Synod said.

"Christ is unequivocal on this issue: 'If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!' (Mt 18:6-7)", BP quoted.

The Holy Synod said that the persistent criticism highlights the resilience of Christian Europe, indicating that efforts to strip it of its Christian and humanistic values are doomed to fail. Historical evidence shows that all actions against Christ and His Church have ultimately been unsuccessful.

"Our people embrace the European way, advocating for a Europe that respects and honours its historical roots and Christian heritage. We firmly believe that without a vibrant faith in Christ and adherence to enduring Christian values, there will be no future for Europe," the statement said.